[va-bird] Barnacle Goose
- From: Phoebetria@xxxxxxx
- To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, pabuckley@xxxxxxx, lehmfinn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002 12:31:34 EST
Another Barnacle Goose was found, this one in New Jersey (details from NJ
Birds below, with the usual caveats about uncertain provenance). I have lost
track of how many this makes (several in New England, two in New York, at
least) for the winter. It seems unlikely that just one or two birds is
involved in this "event" this year. Either some waterfowl fancier in the
East has misplaced/released a set of unbanded and unmarked captive birds (as
has happened in the past) or there was a displacement of birds from the
migratory path that extends eastward from Greenland this year.
I was in Iceland this year looking for Barnacle Geese in early October and
noted that several rather strong but decaying hurricanes that reached
southern Iceland had set up strong easterly flows during the time (late
September, early October) of this species's migration to Iceland (a stopover
place for them, mostly in the southeastern part of the island) and that
fronts from Europe continued to blow from the east through at least
mid-October, not a typical annual pattern for this part of the Atlantic.
This would be a plausible conveyance for wild Barnacle Geese to northeastern
North America, but it's wild speculation.....
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
NJBIRDS,
At 7:45 AM -0500 2/6/02, Davilene@xxxxxxx wrote:
Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 5th, Rick Wiltraut located a barnacle
goose in with the Canada's at Merrill Creek. It was seen from the overlook at
the power station. And, of course, I realize that there's always controversy
as to the origins of this species.
Arlene Koch
Easton, PA
Northampton County
Reach Merrill Creek Reservoir from Exit 4 of interstate 78 in Warren County,
NJ. For Merrill Cr. Reservoir, refer to P. 28 of the NJ Delorme atlas. Take
the last exit in New Jersey (westbound; the first exit if you are coming from
Pennsylvania). Go north from Interstate 78 exit 3 on Rt. 22; go to Rt. 519
and turn right (north/east). Proceed to a right turn on Fox Farm Rd. (very
roughly 2 miles). Take Fox Farm Rd. to the second access area, a right turn,
and park by the dam/power station.
As Arlene notes, records of this species are usually treated with great
caution. Paul Lehman comments: "There are many records of clear escapes
throughout the East and Midwest (and even the West). But the species does
breed in Greenland, so could occur as a legitimate vagrant here as well. The
species in Europe is almost entirely coastal, so inland records here are
additionally suspect. Having said that, a fair number of birders do like
checking these birds out, and there has been a "rash" of sightings this
winter between Massachusetts and Virginia, some greeted with more enthusiasm
than others!! Basically, when dealing with this species in North America it's
a tough call separating the possible small amount of wheat from all the
chaff."
This is a review list species, and good details would be valuable in helping
the NJBRC attempt to make the tough call.
Laurie
llarson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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